27 November 2012

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV (earlier post), introduced today ahead of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives.

GM expects the Spark EV to have among the best EV battery range in its segment and be the first electric vehicle to offer SAE Combo DC Fast Charging capability, when it goes on sale next summer.

Spark EV also will feature Chevrolet’s exclusive MyLink radio that brings smartphone-based infotainment—including apps for BringGo full-function navigation, TuneIn global internet radio, Pandora and Stitcher—into the vehicle. Apple’s Siri will be available for customers with compatible (4S and newer) iPhones. (Earlier post.)

In addition to previously announced markets including California and South Korea, Spark EV will also go on sale in participating dealerships throughout Oregon, Canada and other global markets. Spark EV will be eligible for high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California.

Oh wait, over 5,000 various EV's were on the 1990's California highways until GM crushed the EV1, sued CARB, sold the enabling NiMH battery patents to oil, and derailed 15 years of commercial EV/charging infrastructure advances.

It would be ironic if the Spark were a hit and opened the EV doors GM already owned decades ago.